April 19, 2017 13:17 MYT

MOHD IRWAN: "Seeing the rate at which Digital Economy Corp Sdn Bhd (MDEC) is bringing in the investments, we can achieve it (target of 20 per cent to GDP) earlier than 2020." - FILEpic

KUALA LUMPUR: The contribution of Malaysia''s digital economy to the gross domestic product (GDP) at about 17 per cent currently , is expected to exceed the projected target of 20 per cent earlier than 2020, said Treasury Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah.

He expressed confidence that the level is achievable earlier as Malaysia had started making waves in the digital economy arena this year, first with the launch of the Digital Free Trade Zone or DFTZ (on March 22) and now, the Malaysia Digital Hub.

"Malaysia can also leverage on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the DFTZ is an area where our small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can benefit from partnerships with big players like Ali Baba.

"Seeing the rate at which Digital Economy Corp Sdn Bhd (MDEC) is bringing in the investments, we can achieve it (target of 20 per cent to GDP) earlier than 2020," he said after officiating the Malaysia Digital Hub and Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme here today.